PHMSA Pipeline Safety Research and Development “Other Transaction Agreements”
Active
- Assistance listing
- 20.723
- Agency
-
Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration
Department of Transportation
- Grant awards
- 66 $52,067,276 in federal obligations
Program facts
- Assistance types
-
- Project Grant
- Cooperative Agreement
- Formula Grant
- Treasury account
-
- 69-5172-0-2-407
- More information
Program details come from SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Updated . Grant award figures come from USAspending.gov.
About this program
The Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration funds pipeline safety research and development projects through Other Transaction Agreements under CFDA 20.723, with the most recent award issued on August 1, 2025.
The program sponsors R&D focused on near-term solutions that improve pipeline system safety, reduce environmental impact, and enhance reliability of the nation's pipeline transportation system. Funded projects range from development of inspection technologies—such as EMAT sensors for corrosion mapping of unpiggable natural gas pipelines, inline inspection tool enhancements, and leak detection systems—to materials testing, risk assessment methodologies, damage prevention tools, and standards development. Recent awards illustrate this breadth: a cooperative agreement with McNeese State University Foundation to operate the National Center of Excellence for Liquified Natural Gas Safety in Lake Charles, Louisiana ($2.27 million, awarded August 2025); research on long-term compatibility of vapor-phase corrosion inhibitors and cathodic protection components ($400 thousand, September 2022); and compact service regulator pipeline safety research ($384 thousand, September 2021).
The assistance-type portfolio is dominated by Project Grants, which account for 56 of 66 awards (85 percent), with Cooperative Agreements comprising 12 percent and Formula Grants 3 percent. PHMSA is the sole funding agency across all 66 awards, which obligated a combined $52.1 million in federal dollars since 2008. Recipients have contributed an additional $26.2 million in non-federal cost-share, bringing total project value to $78.3 million. Award volume has been sparse in recent years—one award each in 2025, 2022, 2021, 2018, and 2016—with three awards in 2015 representing the most recent period of activity clustering. The program has been active since at least August 2008.
Applicants must register in SAM.gov prior to submission. Eligible entities include universities, non-profit organizations, private corporations, businesses, and private individuals, but exclude foreign entities and federal, state, and local governments. PHMSA solicits proposals through Research Announcements; proposals receive 30–45 days for review and are awarded as Other Transaction Agreements requiring resource sharing as specified in each announcement. Award recipients must maintain financial records for three years from completion.
Objective and description
- Objective
To sponsor research and development (R & D) projects that focus on providing near-term solutions which will improve safety, reduce environmental impact, and enhance reliability of the nation's pipeline transportation system.
- Description
PHMSA's R & D Program supports development of innovative technology, strengthening consensus standards, and promoting knowledge to decision makers that may be implemented to improve pipeline system safety.
Eligibility
- Applicant eligibility
Any responsible source (excluding foreign entities and federal, state, and local governments) may submit proposals for consideration. Eligible entities include, but are not limited to, universities or institutions of higher education, hospitals, non-profit organizations, private individuals, corporations, and businesses or commercial organizations. All offerors must be registered in the Federal Government's System for Award Management (SAM) prior to submitting a proposal (www.sam.gov).
- Beneficiary eligibility
Anyone/general public can receive benefits from the eligible applicant.
- Uses of assistance
This research program is used for: fostering the development of new technologies and new knowledge so that pipeline operators can improve safety performance and more effectively address regulatory requirements; targeting and feeding new knowledge into the process of keeping standards relevant to their purpose; and generating and promoting general knowledge to decision makers.
- Use restrictions
This research program is used for: fostering the development of new technologies and new knowledge so that pipeline operators can improve safety performance and more effectively address regulatory requirements; targeting and feeding new knowledge into the process of keeping standards relevant to their purpose; and generating and promoting general knowledge to decision makers.
- Length and time phasing of assistance
The term of an "Other Transaction Agreement" is normally between 1 and 3 years. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: quarterly method of awarding/releasing assistance: quarterly.
How to apply
- Preapplication coordination
Valid and UpToDate Sam.gov registration
- Application procedure
https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/rd/
- Criteria for selecting proposals
Specific evaluation criteria for each PHMSA Research Announcement (RA) is located in the announcement document.
- Award procedure
In response to a PHMSA RA. Full proposals will be awarded by "Other Transaction Agreement," requiring the relevant resource sharing stated within this document.
- Time to approval or disapproval
30-45 days for review of proposals (if requested).
Grant awards
Latest 10 of 66 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Top recipients by federal obligations
| Rank | Recipient | Federal obligations | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Battelle Memorial Institute | $6,079,579 | 12% |
| 2 | Pipeline Research Council International, Inc. | $5,813,822 | 11% |
| 3 | Institute Of Gas Technology | $4,769,200 | 9% |
| 4 | Operations Technology Development NFP | $4,304,444 | 8% |
| 5 | Electricore Inc. | $4,081,943 | 8% |
| 6 | Kiefner & Associates, Inc. | $4,045,539 | 8% |
| 7 | Northeast Gas Association, Inc. | $3,841,176 | 7% |
| 8 | Aegeus Inspection Solutions, Inc. | $3,130,447 | 6% |
| 9 | BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems Inc. | $2,759,261 | 5% |
| 10 | Center For Reliable Energy Systems LLC | $2,353,632 | 5% |
10 of 22 recipients listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Federal obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Federal obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2026 | $614,000 |
| FY2025 | $418,710 |
| FY2023 | -$1,000 |
| FY2021 | $383,725 |
| FY2020 | -$1,000 |
| FY2019 | -$19,654 |
| FY2018 | $708,913 |
| FY2017 | $266,480 |
| FY2016 | $1,845,072 |
| FY2015 | $13,541,713 |
| FY2014 | $9,693,907 |
| FY2013 | $15,845,142 |
| FY2012 | $1,992,904 |
| FY2011 | $254,910 |
| FY2010 | $490,778 |
| FY2009 | $404,802 |
Show all 16
Quick answers
What is Assistance Listing 20.723?
Assistance Listing 20.723 is PHMSA Pipeline Safety Research and Development “Other Transaction Agreements”, a federal grant program run by Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (Department of Transportation).
What is the CFDA number for PHMSA Pipeline Safety Research and Development “Other Transaction Agreements”?
Its CFDA number is 20.723: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.
How much funding has Assistance Listing 20.723 awarded?
66 grant awards under 20.723 have obligated $52,067,276 in federal funds to 22 recipients.
Who receives the most funding from 20.723?
The recipients obligated the most under PHMSA Pipeline Safety Research and Development “Other Transaction Agreements” are Battelle Memorial Institute ($6,079,579), Pipeline Research Council International, Inc. ($5,813,822) and Institute Of Gas Technology ($4,769,200).
How much did 20.723 obligate in fiscal year 2025?
Grants under 20.723 obligated $418,710 in federal funds in fiscal year 2025.
On GovTribe
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